• More talk that Wal-Mart will cut its CD stock unless the release schedule picks up. That move would certainly compound labels' sales problems. (Digital Music News)

• A jury found that Yahoo!'s Launchcast is not liable to Sony BMG for copyright infringement. The heart of the lawsuit was whether or not Launchcast is an interactive service. An interactive service requires a negotiated licensing agreement. A non-interactive service can be covered by a compulsory license. (Billboard.biz)

• EMI's Sparrow signed a deal with Amy Grant that will include the singer's catalog. Sparrow gets all digital and mobile rights. Many of the albums to be reissued have not yet been made available in digital format. (Press release)

• After being dropped by Warner Music, The Crimea self-financed its sophomore album and will give it away for free as a digital download and hopes to make up the difference through touring, merchandise sales and licensing revenue. (The band is selling copies of the CD version.) I find it especially interesting that the publicists, marketers and radio promoters who will work the album have waived their fees in return for a share of future revenue. Secrets Of The Witching Hour will be released May 13th. (The Guardian)

• Hurt by lower orders by labels, CD manufacturer Cinram is looking to high-definition DVDs and video games. (The Times-Tribune)

• A profile on world music label Putumayo, whose growth is in contrast to the industry's slump. Maybe its sales strategy has something to do with it. Roughly 65% of the labels sales come from non-traditional retailers like Whole Foods and Bath & Body Works. (New York Post)